The BBC has released a first look at its upcoming series Mint, ahead of its release this spring. The “unconventional crime drama” centres around Shannon and Arran, who fall in love despite the disapproval of their warring families.
“Shannon falls hard for Arran, a member of a rival crime family who has newly arrived in town,” reads the synopsis. “Their love story presents an undeniable connection that changes both of their lives for good, but not everyone in their lives sees it the same way.”
Meanwhile, as her forbidden romance begins to bloom, Shannon’s life takes another drastic turn. Her dad Dylan mysteriously steps down from his role as head of the family, handing the reins over to an alarming new leader.
As the power dynamic shifts, the series focuses on “the distinct emotional worlds of Shannon’s family”, including her parents, her older brother Luke and her “indomitable” grandmother Ollie.
The first-look images see Emma Laird and Ben Coyle-Larner in their respective leading roles as Shannon and Arran. Musician Coyle-Larner, who is best known by his stage name Loyle Carner, makes his acting debut in the series.
BBC
BBC
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Another image sees the two rival families in a violent showdown, with their weapons menacingly drawn. Will the story end in tragedy for the young couple, or can true love conquer all?
Elsewhere, the clip shows the pair’s first interaction as they come face-to-face at a train station in the dark of night. Shannon’s eyes light up when she sees newcomer Arran standing on the other side of the tracks.
After exchanging a few glances, she sticks her middle finger up and is amused when he returns the gesture. Though the short clip contains no dialogue, their chemistry is palpable.
BBC
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Mint was created and written by Scrapper’s Charlotte Regan and will serve as her debut TV series. The story will play out over eight episodes, with Regan also directing and executive producing the project.
Meanwhile, joining Laird and Coyle-Larner are Maleficent’s Sam Riley, Breaking Bad star Laura Fraser, Black Mirror’s Lewis Gribben and Sherwood actor Lindsay Duncan.
Mint will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One this spring, with an exact release date yet to be announced.
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Divya is a freelance writer with experience in entertainment and lifestyle news. Described as a “telly addict” since childhood, Divya was able to translate her interests into a BJTC-accredited, Honours degree in Journalism and Media. After working in communications and marketing, Divya joined Digital Spy as a Freelance News Reporter. She has also written for various publications including Metro, Asian World News and TwitCelebGossip; as well as interviews, features and reviews on her own blog. Divya prides herself on her TV, film and showbiz knowledge, always offering (not so) fun facts to her long-suffering friends and family. From soaps to superheroes, Divya is the go-to person for tailored recommendations and up to date information. Â